Nairobi: The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is set to hold its 13th annual biosafety conference that will relook at progress so far made in the biosafety sector. The conference will serve as a national dialogue on modern biotechnologies and biosafety matters.
According to Kenya News Agency, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is a state corporation established under the Biosafety Act, Cap 320 of the Laws of Kenya. It is tasked with supervising and controlling the transfer, handling, and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to ensure the safety of human and animal health and to provide adequate protection of the environment. Ag. CEO Nehemiah Ngetich highlighted that the conference will focus on the role of biosafety regulations in ensuring that GMOs undergo rigorous risk assessments before approval for research, release, or consumption.
The discussion will also cover international laws, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as well as national regulatory structures that oversee compliance, risk management, and public engagement. Some subthemes for the forum include regulatory frameworks for GMO safety, exploring policies, laws, and institutional frameworks governing the safe development, handling, and commercialization of GMOs.
On GMO safety assessment and product labeling, Ngetich noted that the focus will be on scientific methodologies used to evaluate the safety of GMOs before their approval for research, cultivation, or consumption. Key aspects of risk assessment will be covered, including substantial equivalence, environmental impact, toxicity, and long-term health effects. The session will also elaborate on socioeconomic parameters considered for GMOs’ environmental release and market placement, and the significance of labeling regulations.
The conference will further highlight collaborative approaches to GMO research and development, emphasizing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration. It will underline the role of public-private partnerships in advancing GMO research, safety assessments, and responsible commercialization. Additionally, the discussion will shed light on how NGOs and county governments contribute to biosafety advocacy, policy implementation, and community awareness.
The Biotechnology Advances and Emerging Opportunities session will explore the latest advancements in biotechnology, including genome editing and synthetic biology, as well as the impact of AI on research and productivity. Participants will gain insights into AI-powered data analytics and their role in accelerating biotech research, improving crop breeding, optimizing supply chains, and enhancing biosafety monitoring.
The conference, themed “13 Years Later: Building Trust and Ensuring Safety of Genetically Modified Organisms,” comes at a significant time. In 2022, Kenya lifted a decade-long ban on GMOs to address food security challenges, with the NBA playing a crucial role in regulating GMOs. The upcoming two-day conference in June follows recent controversy after the Court of Appeal overturned earlier rulings that lifted the ban on the technology. The Kenyan Peasants League secured a conservatory order stopping further government action on the technology and importation of crops and food pending their appeal’s determination.